Minister Duclos Announces Membership of the Advisory Committee on Poverty

Minister Duclos announces membership of the Advisory Committee on Poverty

GATINEAU, QC, Sept. 22, 2017 /CNW/ - Every Canadian deserves a real and fair chance at success and achieving their full potential. That is why the Government of Canada is committed to developing a Canadian Poverty Reduction Strategy to help more Canadians join the middle class and stay there.In support of this commitment, today the Honourable Jean‑Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, announced members of a new Ministerial Advisory Committee on Poverty, which brings together a diverse group of 17 leaders, academic experts and practitioners working in the field of poverty reduction, and individuals who have experienced poverty first-hand, to provide expert advice on poverty-related issues.Chosen from over 400 nominations from across Canada and internationally, the Committee members will provide valuable advice and input to the Minister on a range of poverty-related issues that will in turn inform the Canadian Poverty Reduction Strategy. As part of its role, the Committee will act as a forum for information sharing and independent discussion on poverty and poverty reduction.The Advisory Committee on Poverty is one of the many initiatives that the Government of Canada is undertaking to support the development of a Canadian Poverty Reduction Strategy to improve the economic well-being of all Canadian families. From February to August, Minister Duclos led a nationwide consultation process to engage with Canadians on key issues related to poverty. Canadians were invited to participate in the online discussion to have their say on how to reduce poverty, as well as through in-person roundtables and town hall events.Follow us on Twitter and Facebook to stay up to date with the latest activities about the Committee's initiatives to reduce poverty with #ReducePoverty.

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"Poverty places a heavy burden on individuals and communities, and our government is committed to helping all Canadians have a real and fair chance to succeed. The top priority of our government is helping more Canadians join the middle class, and stay there. I would like to recognize all Canadians who were nominated for the Advisory Committee on Poverty and thank those who took the time to nominate them. I look forward to working with the newly formed Advisory Committee and to the valuable contribution each member will bring in our work to reduce poverty."– The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development

Quick Facts

In 2015, 3.2 million Canadians (9.2 percent of the population) lived in poverty. This included more than half a million children.Unattached people aged 45 to 64, single parents, recent immigrants, Indigenous people and people with disabilities are most likely to experience poverty.In 2015, about 701,000 Canadians lived in families that worked but were poor. In 2015, Canada's low-income rate for seniors was 4.4 percent.Over 400 people were nominated and 17 were selected to be members of the Ministerial Advisory Committee on Poverty.The Committee will operate for a period of one year and will report to the Minister ofFamilies, Children and Social Development.Canadians are invited to visit Canada.ca/reduce-poverty to learn more about the development of a Canadian Poverty Reduction Strategy.Related ProductsBiographies of the members of the Advisory Committee on Poverty

Ottawa, ON – David Anderson, Member of Parliament for Cypress Hills—Grasslands and Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Human Rights and Religious Freedom, today recognized the International Day of Peace and stressed the need for international collaboration on the issues that continue to threaten global stability, tolerance, and the safety of vulnerable communities around the world.

“Recognizing the International Day of Peace promotes international attention on the need for peace amongst people of all races, backgrounds and faiths,” said Anderson. “At a time when human rights and religious freedom are under critical threat around the world, it is the responsibility of individuals, states and organizations to work together in order to build better relationships.”

Established unanimously by the United Nations in 1981, and formalized in 2001 as a day of global ceasefire and non-violence, Peace Day calls on UN member states to alleviate tensions and conflict and embrace the ideals of peace.

“Violent events like the ones unfolding in Myanmar, the Middle East and Venezuela are painful reminders of the need for sustained peace and reconciliation efforts,” noted Anderson. “But it is also vital to consider the silent, everyday attacks on the freedoms of individuals – such as the ability to speak, move, believe, and associate freely. States have an obligation to safeguard these fundamental civil liberties which are vital to the pursuit of lasting peace,” said Anderson.

For more informationOffice of David Anderson, MP:(613) 992-0657 or (306) 778-4480

OTTAWA, ON – Today marks the commencement of a new era between the European Union and Canada with the Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement (CETA) provisionally coming into force.

“CETA is a legacy of the Stephen Harper Government, which commenced negotiations of this historic and progressive 21st century gold-standard agreement in 2009. His vision for a globally engaged Canada with new economic opportunities for Canadians now positions Canada for greater prosperity in the 21st Century,” noted Member of Parliament Ed Fast.

“In every region across Canada, enterprises will benefit from improved market access to the largest and most affluent consumer market in the world,” explained Mr. Fast. “Free and open markets are the bedrock of a strong and prosperous Canadian economy, and I encourage Canadian companies to take advantage of this golden opportunity to grow their businesses.”

Mr. Fast congratulated Chief Negotiator Steve Verheul and his trade negotiation team on a job well done.

Between 2006 and 2015, the Harper Government concluded free trade negotiations with 51 countries, and implemented foreign investment protections for Canadian investors with many more. As former Trade Minister, Mr. Fast led many of these negotiations. They were part of an ambitious pro-trade plan focused on new trade and investment ties to allow Canadian enterprises to expand, flourish and become more competitive.

For more information:

Brad Vis Office of the Hon. Ed FastMember of Parliament for Abbotsford 613-995-0183

A letter from former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney. Above it, I am also passing along a statement from Ontario PC Campaign Chair Walied Soliman along with a photo of Patrick Brown and Caroline Mulroney.

STATEMENT FROM ONTARIO PC CAMPAIGN CHAIR WALIED SOLIMAN:“It was Brian Mulroney’s principled stand on acid rain and his leadership on free trade that drew Patrick Brown into politics. This makes Mr. Mulroney’s endorsement of Patrick’s leadership so meaningful.“While we look to building a brighter future for Ontario with his daughter Carolinerunning under the PC banner, we will look to the past service of the former prime minister as an important example of leadership on the economy and environment that are as important today as ever.”

LETTER FROM FORMER PRIME MINISTER BRIAN MULRONEY:Ontario Needs Patrick Brown and new leadership“Yesterday was a special day for me, and I wanted to share it with you. On September 17th, thirty-three years ago, I was sworn in as Prime Minister of Canada.

“During my time in office, I’m proud of what our Progressive Conservatives accomplished. We built a stronger economy and created a cleaner, healthier environment for Canadians to live in. And I’m especially proud we did both at the same time.

“You see, the economy and the environment aren’t mutually exclusive. Good economic policy and good environmental policy go hand-in-hand. Many believe this can’t be the case. Yet my government brought in a free trade agreement and an acid rain treaty with the United States. The former is a reason why Canada is now among the most prosperous nations on Earth, the latter is a reason why I was voted Canada’s greenest prime minister in history.

“This is what’s possible when our leaders have vision. It brings to mind a quote from Theodore Sorenson, Senior Advisor to President Kennedy: “Once in office those who wish to stand up and stand out and leave something enduring behind must build new institutions, not new images. They must look to the next generation, not merely the next election. They must talk in terms of fundamental values, not merely costs. They must appeal to our hopes as well as our needs, to what we long to be and what we know is right. That’s leadership.”

“This is the kind of leadership Ontario needs, the kind that Patrick Brown is ready to deliver. Patrick shares my vision for pragmatic, progressive conservatism. It’s why I’m proud to support him in his mission to form a PC Government in 2018. I’m asking you to support him too.

The Trudeau Liberals Are Planning Major Tax Increases on Local Businesses, Which Would Threaten the Livelihoods of Hundreds of Thousands of Canadians.

September 19, 2017

OTTAWA, ON – Andrew Scheer, Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, today launched the Save Local Business campaign. The Trudeau Liberals are planning major tax increases on local businesses, which would threaten the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of Canadians.

“Canada’s Conservatives are fighting to save local business, and the jobs they create, from Justin Trudeau’s latest tax hike. The Trudeau Liberals want to make local businesses pay more, regardless of the cost to jobs or the impact on local communities,” said Andrew Scheer.

Justin Trudeau has previously said he believes that small businesses are mainly a way for the wealthy to save on their taxes.

“We’re not talking about multinational corporations. We’re talking about our neighbors. They’re the coffee shop owners, the farmers, and mechanics who are the heart and soul of our communities. These are good people, hardworking people, honest taxpayers who are being demonized by the Trudeau Liberals because the government can’t get its spending under control. There’s nothing fair about targeting local business.”

The Save Local Business campaign will reach out to Canadians and ask them to show their support for local businesses in their community.

“Canada’s Conservatives respect local businesses and the people who rely on them for a living,” said Scheer. “We’re fighting this tax hike every step of the way.”

The campaign website can be found at: SaveLocalBusiness.ca.

For more information:

Cory HannDirector of CommunicationsConservative Party of Canadacoryhann@conservative.ca613-755-2184

OTTAWA, ON – Following the U.S. State Department’s notification to congress that the proposed sale of 18 Super Hornet fighter jets to Canada would cost $6.4 billion, James Bezan, Shadow Minister for National Defence and Tony Clement, Shadow Minister for Public Services and Procurement, issued the following statement:

“Conservatives support policies that strengthen our national defence and ensure that our men and women in uniform have the best equipment, training and support available. Yesterday’s announcement confirms that the Liberal plan to replace Canada’s CF-18 fleet has been fundamentally flawed from the onset. During the 2015 federal election, Justin Trudeau promised to hold an open competition yet at the same time he committed to exclude one of the contenders. This promise was not based on the advice of experts but was made for purely partisan reasons.

“The Liberal plan would result in Canada spending over $6 billion CDN on 18 planes. Last February the United States Department of Defence announced its intention to purchase 90 F-35s for $8.5 billion USD. As defence analyst David Perry from the Canadian Global Affairs Institute has said, ‘$6.3 billion is awfully expensive for temporary aircraft’. Conservatives wholeheartedly agree.

“On a per plane basis, the United States deal for 90 F-35s would mean a per unit cost of approximately $90 million USD. The Liberal plan proposes to spend over $350 million CDN on each Super Hornet. Even after accounting for the exchange rate, this makes no sense whatsoever. These figures also do not factor in the additional training and maintenance costs that are inevitable when running a mixed fleet. It is unfortunate that Canadian taxpayers are being forced to pay for the Prime Minister’s ill-conceived campaign promises.

“With the threats that exist in the world today, especially from rogue states such as North Korea, it is absolutely necessary we provide our military with the best available equipment to defend Canadians and our allies. According to a recent survey by the MacDonald-Laurier Institute, the vast majority of Canada’s defence experts agree that the government should abandon its plan to purchase an interim fleet of fighter jets and immediately proceed to an open competition. Several of Canada’s allies have completed such a competition in less time than these Liberals have been in power.

“It is time for the Prime Minister to set politics aside and do what is right for Canada’s national defence. He should follow the advice of experts and immediately proceed to an open competition to find a permanent replacement for Canada’s CF-18s.”

For more information:

Office of James Bezan, MPShadow Minister for National Defence613-992-3563james.bezan.a1@parl.gc.ca

Office of Tony Clement, MPShadow Minister for Public Services and Procurement613-944-7740tony.clement.a1@parl.gc.ca

OTTAWA, ON – The Hon. Pierre Poilievre, Conservative Shadow Minister of Finance and Member of Parliament for Carleton, will host a Town Hall in Nepean to discuss Justin Trudeau’s tax hike on farmers and local businesses.